The images in this collection depict the life of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States (1980-88).

They document President Reagan's public and private life from his boyhood years in Illinois through his two terms as President. Included in the collection are scenes from President Reagan's career as Chicago Cubs broadcaster, his Hollywood years (including time spent as president of the Screen Actors Guild) and his private life at Rancho del Cielo (the Reagans' private ranch near Santa Barbara, California).

Each photograph in this series has been gathered from public archives, initially produced for the Ronald Reagan Suite at the Century Plaza Hotel - Tower Building in Los Angeles. ( Now the Presidential Suite of the St Regis)

Images were digitally enhanced by Business Image Group.
Nothing was done to any of the content that would affect its historical authenticity. Our digital process was used to restore defects related to the deterioration of the film and images that may adversely effect the appreciation of the photograph. Hand-tinting was performed by Bennett Halll using traditional methods.

In honor of President Ronald Reagan

"A Remarkable Life"1911-2004

"Whatever else history may say about me when I'm gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty's lamp guiding your steps and opportunity's arm steadying your way."

-- Remarks in his address to the Republican National Convention, Houston, Texas, August 17, 1992

President Reagan with Pope John Paul II in Miami, Florida
September 10, 1982Copyright notice:

The content in this program is in the public domain as noted herein.
Sources are indicated whenever knon.
Hand-tinting is copyright Bennett Hall-Business Image Group, 1999/2010. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of the images herein is strictly prohibited without the advance express consent of the copyright holder. See Terms

The Early Years

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Ronald Reagan rescued 77 people during the six years he worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park in Dixon, Illinois, garnering status as a local hero • Summer 1927

Ronald Reagan in the Director's Chair during production of "GE Electric Theater"

As the host of the General Electric Theater, a dramatic series which ran on CBS between 1953 and 1961, Ronald Reagan developed and fine-tuned his natural ability for public speaking. Through his work as spokesperson for the GE Theater, historians believe that Reagan underwent a shift in his political leanings, from Democrat to Republican.

Update 4-2006: this property is slated for demolition to make way for luxury condominum projects on this site

Ronald Reagan was not only the first guest to entre the newly completed Tower building of the Century Plaza hotel, but the press core dubbed the facility the "western White House" due to his frequent visits while he was staying in Los Angeles as President

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Ronald and Nancy Reagan arrive at the Century Plaza Hotel to attend the Century Ball, a gala event celebrating the opening of the Hotel • June 1966